To Everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. — Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJ
Seasons. In the life of every believer, there are seasons–seasons of plenty, seasons of lack, seasons of new life and celebrations, and seasons of mourning.
The mark of a true and courageous warrior is a patient trust in all the seasons that come, and then, eventually, slip by only to come around again.
According to this verse, everything has a season.
And, according to this verse, every purpose has a time.
Your Purpose
Your purpose has a time–an appointed time under the banner of heaven.
What I love about this second half of Ecclesiastes 3:1 is the explanation that my purpose has specific timing, just like seasons have timing. In other words, my purpose is not necessarily a twenty-four/seven action. There will be seasons of ripening, if you will, like the budding fruit on a tree.
Purposes are molded into shape at the will of the potter’s loving hands. Our life experiences are used by the Holy Potter to shape us into vessels for His glory.
Seasons on Shelves
If you feel you’ve been put on a shelf, or maybe even fallen off to lie broken on the floor, take heart. Each of these winter seasons is bringing you to a specific time and place of purpose. Though the situation seems lifeless, unseen and inside, the Lord works to prepare you for a magnificent bloom that will yield bountiful, beautiful fruit.
Seasons of Bravery
What seems unlikely is that this is the time to be brave, not despondent or depressed. Being brave means stepping up when it’s easier to step back–in the times of inactivity and low motivation. It’s praising Him through the storms of life, but also through the valleys of life.
Bravery is trusting God through the dormant winter.
Our purposes have seasons.
To praise Him in seasons of loss, or when work is dry, or children disappointing, or families on opposite ends of the jab debate–this is pure, untainted trust. Trust is faith. Faith is brave.
To be brave is to praise God even when life hurts.
May we be brave in all the seasons of our lives.
Glory to God!
If I perish, I perish,
Laurie Green Westlake
Author Laurie Green Westlake 